Grace Harrison of the Henrico Master Gardeners' Association demonstrates vermi composting to a visitor during Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden's fall plant sale Sept. 17.}

The sixth-annual Filipino Festival will be held Aug. 12-13 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 8200 Woodman Road in Henrico.

The event, designed to celebrate Filipino culture, is expected to attract nearly 10,000 visitors this year. It is sponsored by the church, and all proceeds benefit local charities sponsored by the church, including Lamb’s Basket, Laura’s Closet and the OLL Food Pantry. Admission is free.
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The next constituent meeting of Henrico County Board of Supervisors Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will highlight services and resources available for Henrico’s senior residents. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27 at Belmont Recreation Center, 1600 Hilliard Road.}

The Lakeside Farmers' Market will host its first-ever "winter market" season, beginning Saturday, Jan. 8. Market hours will be 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday inside the Lakeside Towne Center or on the sidewalk facing Lakeside Avenue, next to Feathernesters. Signs will direct visitors to the market, which will resume its regular Wednesday and Saturday schedule under the pavilion in April.}

The Henrico County Extension Office is encouraging fall gardeners to recycle their nursery plastics as part of a special effort on Saturday, Nov. 13 at Strange's Garden Center.}

Last weekend, more than 10,000 Boy Scouts and volunteers dropped off specially marked grocery bags to thousands of Central Virginia homes for the 23rd annual “Scouting For Food” drive to benefit hungry neighbors in the region. }

The orange and black decorations in stores have yet to give way to red and green, but Henrico residents can rest assured that the Christmas season has officially begun.

At the annual Henrico Christmas Mother kickoff coffee, held Oct. 18 at Belmont Recreation Center, Christmas Mother "alumni" from as far back as 1977 gathered to recognize the 2010 honoree – and to celebrate almost 70 years of helping needy neighbors enjoy Christmas with new clothing, ample food, and gifts.

Henrico Christmas Mother Council President Shelly Poole announced that for the first time, donations to the Christmas Mother program can be made through the program's website – and that the convenience of giving online has already brought in some first-time donors. }